The Kingdom
January 10, 2008
As the war in Iraq drags on, the number of films about it increases until its own subgenre has been created. Along comes the Michael Mann-produced thriller, The Kingdom (2007) that attempts to fuse the action film with a dose of political intrigue while...
Dreamgirls: Showstopper Edition
May 4, 2007
Based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name, Dreamgirls (2006) made the successful jump to the big screen with a big name cast that included the likes of Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles and Eddie Murphy. The film charts the rise of the Dreamettes (later...
Miami Vice
August 1, 2006
It has been 17 years since Miami Vice ended its successful run on television. It became a cultural phenomenon and has since become one of the iconic shows of the 1980s. Michael Mann executive produced and acted as its guiding force in terms of look and...
Jarhead: Collector’s Edition
March 12, 2006
Anticipation was high for Jarhead (2005), the cinematic adaptation of Anthony Swifford’s book of the same name about his experiences as a U.S. foot soldier in the first Persian Gulf War. The reaction to the movie was underwhelming to say the least as...
Ray
August 11, 2005
Ray (2004) traces Ray Charles’ humble beginnings growing up dirt poor in Florida to the rhythm and blues legend that he became. In between, we are given insight into his creative process and the ups and downs of his life and career. Early on he traveled...
Collateral
June 27, 2005
Cabbie Jamie Foxx is having a very bad day thanks to hitman Tom Cruise, who hijacks his car and takes him on a killing spree through Los Angeles. Michael Mann, some time after inventing trashy cop shows and bungling Nazi horror movies, has become an American...
Collateral
November 25, 2004
After the commercial failure and mixed critical reaction of the vastly underrated Ali (2001), Michael Mann returns to familiar territory—the urban crime thriller—with Collateral (2004). After making three grandiose epics in a row, he shifts gears...
Ali: The Director’s Cut
June 1, 2004
When Ali was released in 2001 it received decidedly mixed reviews. While Will Smith was praised for his impressive physical transformation into legendary boxer Muhammed Ali, the film itself was criticized for revealing nothing new about the man. Herein...
Shade
February 1, 2003
Shade (2003) is the latest in a long tradition of grifter movies, from the likes of The Hustler (1961) and House of Games (1987). They often feature elaborate confidence games most commonly involving card games like poker or other games of chance like...